Adoption of a New Haemophilus influenzae Type b Vaccine Recommendation

Abstract

Sir.—Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infection in children is responsible for approximately 12 000 cases of meningitis and 7500 cases of other invasive diseases annually in the United States,^1,2 with a mortality rate of 5% in cases of meningitis and as many as 40% of survivors having significant neurologic sequelae.³ On October 4, 1990, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permitted one Hib vaccine manufacturer to amend its package insert to claim safety and efficacy for administration at age 2 months.⁴ The previous recommended age of first administration had been 15 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) soon issued a recommendation for first administration to infants at age 2 months. A letter called a Ped-Comm was sent from the AAP to its members in late October 1990 recommending the earlier age for first vaccination, but information on safety or efficacy was not included since